Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov took part in the plenary session of the International Forum Digital Bridge: Generative Nation, presented awards to the winners of the Digital Bridge Awards, and visited the exhibition of digital solutions.

Olzhas Bektenov noted that digitalization and the introduction of artificial intelligence are priorities for the country’s development, as defined by the President of Kazakhstan.

“Head of State Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev focuses special attention on the development of artificial intelligence and the transformation of Kazakhstan into a fully-fledged digital nation within three years. Our citizens possess great potential and have every opportunity to create breakthrough projects. We, in turn, must provide them with comprehensive support. The participation of everyone — representatives of business, academia, and government institutions — is important in this work,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Kazakhstan ranks 24th globally in e-government development and 10th in online services.

The Government is creating conditions for the free and productive work of AI and IT specialists. Digital infrastructure is expanding, educational centers are being opened, and 20 universities are already running AI programs. About 500,000 citizens are learning the basics of artificial intelligence through programs such as AI Qyzmet, AI Sana, Tomorrow School, and QazCoders.

A particularly important development is the opening of Alem.ai, a key component of digital infrastructure that will serve as a platform for research, implementation of advanced solutions, and startup acceleration. Astana Hub plays a crucial role in the growth of creative industries. Through its venture investment fund accelerator, startups can access major financing and enter the global market. The Government is implementing a strategy aimed at increasing IT service exports to $1 billion by the end of this year. Leading global technology “unicorn” companies such as Playrix, Mytona, NetCracker, and others have already entered the Kazakhstani market, reflecting high confidence from international businesses and investors.

“The recently established Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development is focused precisely on achieving the next technological breakthrough. The legal framework will be improved, and new support measures for AI and IT specialists will be expanded. The President’s initiatives to develop a national educational platform and establish a research-based AI university will give a powerful impetus to training qualified professionals for the future labor market,” Olzhas Bektenov stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Government of Kazakhstan is fully open to cooperation and the joint implementation of projects significant for the country in order to build a strong economy. During Digital Bridge 2025, more than 30 memorandums of cooperation were signed. To promptly address business concerns and remove unnecessary barriers for all market participants, a Digital Headquarters operates under the Government.

In addition, an awards ceremony for the Digital Bridge Awards took place. Olzhas Bektenov presented prizes to the best domestic IT projects and digital initiatives.

Winners of the Digital Bridge Awards 2025 included:

• Export Excellence – Grand Mobile – developed a multiplayer open-world role-playing game where users build careers, interact, and create their own economy inspired by the spirit of GTA, adapted for mobile devices. The game has been downloaded more than 60 million times worldwide.

• AI Solution of the Year – Higgsfield AI – founded an AI-based platform for creating video and animation from text prompts, included in Google Next’s Top 25 Startups globally.

• EdTech of the Year – CodiPlay – created an educational ecosystem for schools teaching programming and engineering thinking, covering over one million students in 13 countries.

• GovTech Innovation – Documentolog Global Limited – developed digital solutions for automating government processes, including electronic lawmaking and intelligent search systems.

• Tech Media Excellence – founders of Kazakhstan’s largest technology and startup media outlet, attracting over 200,000 unique monthly users.

• Social Impact Project – 7Generation / KazDream IT Holding – created the LifeSignal service for locating callers during emergency calls, enabling rapid response and ensuring citizen safety.

The Prime Minister also visited the exhibition of digital solutions, where domestic IT companies and startupers presented their own developments.

Their products were demonstrated by IT companies Shai PRO – an ecosystem of intelligent products and solutions based on AI; Best Vision Technologies – an AI platform for identifying industrial risks and remote management of production processes; Axellero – a platform for creating AI agents that automate routine tasks and improve business efficiency; Qalan – an online educational platform for schools and EdTech projects; Recado – AI-based solutions for the oil and gas industry; and Jet – a sharing super app for short-term rental of transport and equipment.

Developments were presented by startup companies Paidax – an investment platform for retail investors; PocketDot – the first magnetic Braille interface for people with visual impairments; Defect AI – an AI system for automatic detection of production defects; Protector AI – a video analytics system for automatic detection of violence, bullying and conflicts in schools, kindergartens and social institutions; Esep AI – a system for analyzing energy resource consumption; Trust Exam – an AI platform for automation and monitoring of online exams; Biometric Vision – technologies of biometric identification and KYC services (from English Know Your Customer); and Mirai Tech – developing intelligent monitoring and analysis systems based on sensor technologies, biomechanics and data.

The International Forum Digital Bridge: Generative Nation brought together more than 30 thousand participants, including investors, experts, representatives of startups and IT companies from more than 30 countries of the world.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Digitalization #President's instruction

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